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A Tyneside doctor who lied about his qualifications and hid criminal convictionson applications for NHS jobs has been put behind bars.Bai Kabia, who qualified as a medic in Russia, claimed to have worked inhospitals which had never heard of him.

He also claimed fraudulently to have a masters degree.

Mr Recorder Ben Nolan QC branded the fraudster a "master of nothing" andjailed him for 15 months.The 46-year-old, of Hathersage Gardens, South Shields, pretended to be amember of professional organisations and wrongly claimed to be registered with theGeneral Medical Council on his applications.

Kabia denied fraud charges in relation to each one, but after a week-longtrial last month, he was unanimously found guilty of all charges at Newcastle Crown Court.

Barclays Bank was just one of the companies who contracted Dr Gordon Bates to conduct pre-employment medicals on prospective staff. Since the allegations came to light it has worked closely with Northumbria Police to help the investigation and support those affected.

A Barclays' spokesman said "Last year Barclays became aware of an allegation about a GP who conducted pre-employment medicals in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The information was immediately shared with the Northumbria Police, who have investigated the allegations.

“Barclays has done all it can to help the police enquiry and to support employees involved in this sensitive investigation.”

Police investigating alleged sexual assaults involving a North East GP who carried out pre-employment checks on job-seekers say 48 allegations have been recorded as criminal acts.

We can confirm that Northumbria Police received a number of allegations of sexual assault dating back to the 1970s and 1980s, made against a man who is now deceased. The allegations related to pre-employment medical examinations carried out on behalf of Barclays Bank.

– Northumbria Police

All of the allegations have been thoroughly investigated by specialist officers. 48 of the allegations have been recorded as criminal acts. All of the complainants have been informed of the outcome of the investigation. Northumbria Police worked closely with Barclays Bank throughout the enquiry and any further allegations which may come to light will be fully investigated